Have your say on Muirtown and South Kessock Development Brief
Following a series of public events last year The Highland Council has published details of a new shared vision for the future of the Muirtown and South Kessock areas of Inverness.
Public consultation has commenced on the Muirtown and South Kessock Draft Development Brief. The draft brief, which has been prepared following consultation carried out last year with the communities of Muirtown and South Kessock, is intended to help shape future development and regeneration of the area.
Having listened to people’s views the council has now prepared a draft document known as the Muirtown and South Kessock Development Brief, which highlights the opportunities that exist for development and regeneration within the area.
The purpose of the development brief is to guide what can happen in the future. It will be used to help determine any planning applications and also support bids for funding to deliver projects in the area so it’s important that people tell us what they think at this stage.. The draft brief is now subject to an 8 week period of public consultation which closes on 2nd April 2015.
Comments received on the development brief will be considered and any changes considered necessary included in a final development brief. The draft development brief along with any changes will then be presented to the City of Inverness Area Committee and then the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee for adoption as Statutory Supplementary Guidance.
Leader of the City Committee, Councillor Ian Brown said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the people and community groups who took part in the charette workshops that were help last year and I encourage more local input into this next phase of consultation. Once adopted the development brief will be important as it will highlight agreed regeneration priorities for the area and can be used to help bring in any future bids for funding. This is the chance for people to get involved and to help shape how this area of Inverness develops for years to come.
Over the next few days all properties in the brief area are being sent a notification letter about the consultation on the draft brief. This will help to make people aware of the consultation and encourage people to view the document or to come along to one of the events arranged for mid-March and to give their views on the document.
Community groups, businesses, public agencies and individual members of the public are invited to give their views. The easiest way to read the draft Development Brief is to view or download the document from the Council’s website at www.highland.gov.uk/msk. You can then submit comments using the online form. A copy of the draft brief is also available to view at Council Buildings, Glenurquhart Road Inverness and also at Merkinch Community Centre, Coronation Park, Inverness and the Charleston Academy Community Campus, Kinmylies, Inverness, IV3 8ET.
During March two events are being held which we encourage people to come along to discuss the content of the Brief with staff from Highland Council and Scottish Canals.
The first event takes place on Wednesday 11 March at Muirtown Primary School, King Brude Road with the drop-In exhibition running from 3.30pm to 6.15pm and then the evening discussion starting at 7.00pm. On Thursday 12 March the drop-in exhibition will be on show at Merkinch Community Centre from 2.00pm to 5.15pm with the evening discussion beginning at 6.45pm.
Both events will comprise of an afternoon drop-in session and an evening discussion session to get the publics views on the content, ideas and potential projects contained in the draft document.
If you have questions you can also email the Development Plans Team at devplans@highland.gov.uk . If you do not have access to the website or a computer, you can contact the Development Plans Team, Development and Infrastructure Service, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX or the Council’s Service Centre on 01349 886608.
Any comments on the draft development brief need to be received by The Council by Friday 2nd April 2015.